COMBAT OUTPOST CASTLE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Willy Pete constantly looks out for the Marines of Company D, even while they regroup and recharge.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE PAYNE, HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — He defends Marines and sailors with love and tenacity, protecting them as any Marine would protect a brother-in-arms. He is the epitome of man’s best friend, shielding service members from the enemy while providing companionship and camaraderie. His name is Willy Pete, and he’s a warrior, a protector, a friend. He’s also a dog.
Company D, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), arrived in the Khan Neshin District in the summer of 2009 for a seven-month deployment and established a coalition presence in the Southwest part of Afghanistan. The LAR Marines pushed west to gain a firm position in a town called Qal’ah-ye Now, where they found two dogs in a compound that they began using
as a patrol base.
“I believe that Willy believes it’s his duty and an honor to protect us from what may lie ahead.”
— Lance Cpl. Philip Bulford
Khan Neshin - "Willy Pete and Marines with Company D, rest before going out on patrol. Willy has gone on more than 30 combat patrols in the last 60 days."
Before the Marines arrived, the dogs had been beaten and were malnourished. One of the dogs was pregnant and the Marines named her Sandy; the other dog was small and frail, and the Marines fittingly named him Scraggles. The two adopted dogs accepted the Marines as family. Sandy soon had her litter of puppies, one was given the name Willy Pete – military jargon for white phosphorous, a incendiary material used in various types of ammunition. All the puppies were given to local residents to protect farms and herd livestock, but Willy had a different opportunity – he joined the Marines of Company D as their companion.
Scraggles and Sandy grew fond of the Marines in Qal’ah-ye Now and began to protect the patrol base, keeping unwanted dogs and suspicious people away. Willy soon began to demonstrate the same protective traits of his mother. He also learned how to patrol with the Marines, what a patrol formation was, and how to react when the patrol came in contact with the enemy. Since accompanying his first patrol, Willy has been a welcome family member for three complete combat rotations of each LAR unit that has taken charge of the area in the past two years.
The veteran dog usually takes the lead when the Marines go on patrol now. He stays in front until the Marines pass through the bazaar outside the combat outpost. Local residents often look up in recognition of the dog, who seems to fancy himself a Marine. Willy relocates to a new position once he establishes a clear path for the Marines and begins moving from one side of the patrol to the other, warning Marines of anyone’s approach with a quick bark or a low growl.
The many stray dogs in the area tend to be very aggressive and travel in packs. Willy is routinely spotted scrapping with a pack of wild dogs that approach his fellow Marines.
“I had my squad on a local security patrol in Kala Shureh – we refer to the town as ‘Dog Town’ because of the large amount of wild dogs in the area,”said Sgt. Joshua Davis, a squad leader with Weapons Platoon, 2nd LAR. Willy Pete single- handedly fought off five wild dogs to protect the patrol. After Willy engaged the dogs, my squad was able to push through the village to complete our patrol.”
Willy also remains an integral part of security when the Marines and sailors return to the patrol base. He tours the grounds with the sergeant of the guard, chasing stray dogs out of friendly lines and warning the watchstanders if anyone approaches the outpost.
The Marines said they appreciate Willy’s dedication, as he provides them companionship and demonstrates his loyalty each day by returning to the fight.
“Willy never walks in the other direction or tries to hide when he sees a squad heading out for a patrol,”said Lance Cpl. Philip Bulford, a mortar gunner with the company. “I believe that Willy believes it’s his duty and an honor to protect us from what may lie ahead.”
Willy bears the scars from the explosion of an improvised explosive device and a gunshot wound from an enemy insurgent due to his persistent enthusiasm and unyielding vigor to protect the Marines. Still, his loyalty to the Marines is unrelenting.
“He is a proven veteran and a wounded warrior,”said Staff Sgt. Anthony J. Eichler, the platoon sergeant for Weapons Platoon. “Willy is always tirelessly watching over what I would assume he considers ‘his’ Marines. He is a friend of all Marines, and he works hard every day on patrol and for the security of the outpost. He’s been knocked down a few times, but continues on with the mission just like any Marine would be expected to do.”